Former Slovenian President Danilo Turk said on Sunday that strategic autonomy may become a requirement for the European Union (EU) in the future and that the bloc needs to recalibrate its relations with both China and the United States.
Turk was speaking about the increasing need for the EU to assume greater responsibility for its own well-being and security amid fraying relations with the United States, in an interview with the China Media Group on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference in Germany.
He believes that Europe needs to move toward closer ties with China in the years to come.
"Strategic autonomy may become a requirement for European Union in the future. There is going to be a redefinition of relations between European Union and the United States of America. And I think that in the context of strategic autonomy, there will be a very intense need for European Union to look into its relations with China from a new perspective. And I believe that that is going to happen in the coming years. This is not something that can happen tomorrow, but let's say in the next year and the years later, it may be a major theme for both sides to discuss," Turk said.
This year's MSC ran from Friday to Sunday amid intense trade frictions, shifting security commitments, and diminished trust between the EU and the U.S.
European leaders present at the gathering on Saturday called for greater strategic autonomy, reflecting their growing anxieties over a fractured international order and a widening rift in transatlantic relations.
The Munich Security Report 2026 describes the current era as one of the "wrecking-ball politics", saying political forces favoring destruction over reform are gaining momentum across many Western societies, driven by disenchantment with the performance of democratic institutions and a loss of trust in political course correction.
Strategic autonomy required for EU's future: former Slovenian president
Strategic autonomy required for EU's future: former Slovenian president
The 2026 Spring Festival Gala, China's most-watched annual television event, will air Monday night with a stage design that fuses cutting-edge technology and traditional aesthetics, featuring horse-inspired installations to symbolize strength and progress.
Falling on Tuesday this year, the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, ushers in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the Chinese zodiac. The Gala, themed "Galloping Steed, Onward Unstoppable," will present a diverse lineup of performances ranging from singing and dance to opera, martial arts, skits and magic. Its live broadcast on New Year's Eve has become a cherished tradition in hundreds of millions of homes.
The main stage features an artistic installation inspired by the horse, a cultural symbol of strength and ceaseless progress. The design aims to immerse viewers in an atmosphere of joy and prosperity, conveying the vitality of the Year of the Horse.
Visual Director Jiang Yuhao said the Gala's centerpiece stage installation is a programmable matrix, combining innovation with symbolism to capture the festive spirit and forward momentum of the new year.
"The technology department of the China Media Group developed the numerical control matrix device, which includes more than 300 modules and 5,584 individual flip panels, forming a powerful visual of eight galloping horses," Jian said.
"The stage design seeks to depict the scene of 10,000 horses charging forth in line with this year's theme: 'Galloping Steed, Onward Unstoppable.' The horse-themed installation is a numerical control matrix structure. It is designed with three different materials on its surfaces and features three colors -- gold, silver, and red. The numerical control matrix can undergo a flipping transformation. Combined with the lighting effect, it generates a myriad of color reflections. Throughout the entire performance, the stage structure, while flipping and moving, brings numerous and wondrous color changes," Guo Li, another visual director explained.
To amplify the immersive experience, this year's production incorporates advanced technologies such as AI (Artificial Intelligence), AR (Augmented Reality), and XR (Extended Reality), creating a seamless fusion of physical and virtual worlds. These innovations enable performers to interact with dynamic digital environments, drawing audiences into a three-dimensional journey where reality and illusion blend in harmony.
China's Spring Festival Gala to showcase horse-inspired tech stage design
